PRINCETON, NJ — Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County (JFCS) has announced a new Dementia Caregiver Connection Group which will include a support group for the caregiver, a separate activity for the family member with dementia, followed by a lunch for all participants.

The caregiver component will provide support, including techniques and resources for those caring for someone with dementia or other memory impairment. It will be facilitated by JFCS’s Chaplain Beverly Rubman. The activity for the care recipient will be supervised by Artis Senior Living, a memory care community in Princeton, NJ. This activity will be both engaging and stimulating. Afterward, the couple will reunite for lunch, enabling them to enjoy a meal together in a safe, loving and relaxed environment. Lunch will be provided by Artis.

“This program will provide caregivers, also known as ‘invisible second patients’ with the support they so desperately need,” says Michelle Napell, Executive Director of JFCS. “Caregivers of those with dementia are especially lacking in social contact and support. Many are socially isolated because they are too occupied with their support duties or they are unable to leave their partner alone because they don’t have additional help.”

Description: Join Rabbi Eric Wisnia as he reflects on his rabbinate, Jewish life and the changes he has seen over the last 40 years. His reflections will frame Jewish history and offer a perspective for what is yet to come. Bring your own Kosher-style lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided.

Description: Seniors of Beth El Synagogue and JFCS present Laurie Dinerstein-Kurs with “How The Jews Got Their Names.” She will discuss how choice subjects may have been: What do you look like? What is your occupation? Where do you live? Or maybe even a made-up name! Someone may have made the decision for you! Light refreshments will be served. This program is open to the community.

September 26, 2018 (Hightstown, NJ) – Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County (JFCS) proudly opened a new satellite office at 133 Main Street in Hightstown on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 to help youth in Crisis. The agency is now positioned to offer supportive services at a location convenient to the communities of East Windsor and Hightstown.
Services will be targeted towards teens and young adults struggling with mental health concerns, those in need of stabilization and education for navigating these challenges, as well as serving as a bridge to a broad referral network of high-level services for substance abuse and acute mental health crises.
“Our new location is an example of the JFCS commitment to sharing help, hope and healing to our broader community,” said Michelle Napell, Executive Director of JFCS. “Mental health challenges have come to the forefront of the national headlines this year, and it is more important than ever to recognize the need for support and education among our youth, in schools, and to parents.”
The expansion into the East Windsor & Hightstown communities is funded by the County of Mercer Department of Human Services and supported by I.C.A.R.E of East Windsor-Hightstown (Initiative for Counseling, Addiction, Renewal & Education).
Two years ago a group of concerned Hightstown and East Windsor residents voiced their concerns through structured focus groups and surveys over the lack of counseling services available in their community. It became clear that this area was underserved and would benefit from community based support services that would include assessment, education and referral services. This coalition was the start of ICARE, the leadership of which then turned to JFCS for the expertise in mental health in order to deliver supportive services to the community.
“The launch of the JFCS offices on Main Street is a testament to the strength of our community,” said Mayor Janice Mironov of East Windsor. “To see the efforts of concerned parents and educators come together with the professional resources of JFCS is remarkable and I look forward to seeing this partnership make a true difference for our community.”
Services available at 133 Main Street will include:

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Stabilization Services

Crisis Case Management

On-going Support

Community Outreach & Education

Information & Referral

Office hours will be Monday through Thursday 2:00 – 7:00 PM. For those who wish to learn more about these services or make a referral may call 609-987-8100.

Same time, same place…not the same JFCS Gala!

Join us for our annual event with a whole new look – Casino Night 2019! Event will feature cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert, casino games for all experience levels, derby races AND a high roller Poker Tournament.

With a whole new look we can customize a sponsorship package just for you! Interested in creating a unique branding opportunity for your business? Contact Helaine Isaacs at HelaineI@jfcsonline.org or call 609-987-8100 x104.

Description: We are pleased to welcome, Mimi Schwartz, author of When History Is Personal. Mimi’s latest book contains stories of twenty-five moments in her life, each heightened by its connection to historical, political, and social issues. These essays look both inward and outward so that these individualized tales tell a larger story – of assimilation, the women’s movement, racism, anti-semitism, end-of-life issues, ethics in writing, digital and corporate challenges, and courtroom justice.

Mimi is a shrewd and discerning storyteller, who captures history from her vantage as a child of German-Jewish immigrants, a wife of over fifty years, a breast cancer survivor, a working mother, a traveler, a tennis player, a daughter, and a widow. In adding her personal story to the larger narrative of history, culture, and politics. Mimi invites readers to consider her personal take alongside “official” histories and offers readers fresh assessments of our collective past. Books will be available for sale and for signing. A kosher lunch will be served and there is a suggested donation of $5.00 per person.

Jewish Family & Children’s Service (“JFCS”) of Greater Mercer County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service agency that strengthens individuals and families by empowering people to care for themselves and others. This is accomplished through a wide range of high quality social services and programs including therapy, information and referral, support, education and advocacy. By combining contemporary clinical skills with values of charity, righteousness and compassion, Jewish Family & Children’s Service seeks to assist families with many of life’s toughest challenges. For over 75 years, our agency has served those in need in Greater Mercer County. We are headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey with an additional location in Ewing.

Who We Are

Our dedicated board and staff are led by Daniel J. Wagner, Board President and Linda Meisel, LCSW, Executive Director. Our counseling and executive staff are all professionals with Master’s degrees and New Jersey State licensed social workers continually trained in current techniques and issues. In addition, scores of volunteers ranging from octogenarians to young children give their time and energy every day to help JFCS make a difference for people in our community. Jewish Family & Children’s Service is certified by the Council on Accreditation for Agencies Serving Children and Families and licensed by the State of New Jersey.

Who We Serve

In the past year, we assisted more than 3,000 individuals in our community. Families in need, seniors and their adult children, couples and individuals, and victims of trauma and violence all turned to Jewish Family & Children’s Service for competent, confidential and caring support. We are a non-discriminatory agency providing social services to a diverse population.All members of our community are served. JFCS provides an affordable sliding scale fee structure to ensure that everyone who seeks our services can receive them.